New Delhi: The flood fury will continue to haunt Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, as IMD predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall and moderate flash flood in both of the states for the next two days.
Issuing an “orange alert” to the eight districts of the state the weather agency warned of localized landslides or mudslides which may lead to riverine flooding in some river catchments.
The agency said the Monsoon trough lies north of its normal position and it is likely to continue to remain so during the next 4-5 days and gradually shift southwards towards its normal position thereafter.
Meanwhile, the Himachal Pradesh police have issued an advisory to citizens asking them to avoid unessential travel and travel at night in areas where roads are not proper as the landslides and rockslides are not visible.
Amid incessant rainfall, repeated instances of landslides and rockslides have been witnessed in several districts of the hill state, said the officials on Saturday.
The heavy rainfall in the hill state has triggered massive landslides and flash floods, causing the closure of over 200 roads so far. On Sunday, National Highway 205 (NH 205) was blocked at Dakesh in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh due to a landslide.
According to reports, two trucks and one light motor vehicle were damaged in the incident.
Since the onset of the monsoon in the hilly region on June 24, over 200 people have lost their lives in the state while around 295 people have been injured in rain-triggered landslides and flash floods.
Himachal Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said “As many as 800 houses have also been damaged completely, while another 7500 houses have been partially damaged”.
Uttarakhand on Red alert:-
The Indian Meteorological Department also issued a “Orang alert” for Uttarakhand on August 13 and August 14. As per IMD, heavy rainfall is also likely over Uttarakhand on August 13 and 14.
“Urgent red alert issued for Uttarakhand as heavy to very heavy rainfall, reaching extremely heavy levels (more than 204.4 mm), is forecasted for August 13th and 14th. Stay safe,” India Meteorological Department tweeted.
The Met Department has advised the public to avoid areas prone to water logging and stay away from vulnerable structures. It also warned that the rainfall could lead to localized flooding and landslides.
The IMD also issued an orange alert for Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya, saying that the states are likely to get heavy to very heavy rainfall ranging from 115.6 to 204.4 mm.
